The Kayak Blog

“The Tsunami 120 by Wilderness Systems is the most paddler friendly, comfortable, versatile and high performance light touring kayak ever designed. The Tsunami series melds the stability and quickness of a recreational touring kayak with the speed, storage and efficiency of a sea kayak. This series features Phase 3, adjustable thigh braces and full size stern hatch, 10in. bow hatch, 8in. stern day hatch, bow and stern bulkheads, Tempest style deck rigging and the Slide Lock Footbrace System. Specifications: Weight: 50 lbs (22.5 kg) Length: 12′ (360 cm) Width: 25.5in. (64 cm) Depth: 15in. (37 cm) Cockpit: 35.5in. x 19in. (89 x 48 cm) Max. Load: 270 lbs (121 kg) Paddler Level: Beginner - Advanced Standard Features: Phase3 Outfitting Adjustable thigh braces Full size stern hatch Slide Lock Footbrace System 10in. bow hatch 8in. stern day hatch Bow and stern bulkheads Tempest style deck rigging Comfort carry handles

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“The new standard in dry tops is the Kokatat Rogue. Men and women will benefit from the blend of four different GORE-TEX® laminates: IMMERSION® Technology in the main body, XCR® side panels and inner skirt for breathability and a new Cordura® GORE-TEX® in the shoulders and elbows make the Rogue the most durable dry top available. Latex gaskets covered with punch-through neck and wrist closures are comfortable and functional, and a new cummerbund waist improves the fit.

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“The Rio Bravo has a slightly lower profile than many other PFDs; the short front and back panels won’t hinder mobility. The side-panel construction puts a gusset of fabric between front and back and lets you adjust the vest to your body with a close and secure fit. Shoulder pads are long for comfort on all-day floats. A lash tab keeps a knife within easy reach, and you can stash essentials in the two generously sized stretch-mesh zip pockets (with internal D-rings). With the Rio Bravo you get the comfort and reliability of a front-zip entry vest.

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“The mango-sized Touring Tow by Lotus Designs clips unobtrusively onto the side of a Locean® and enables you to easily tow a wayward sea kayak to safety. When needed, it provides 50 feet of high-visibility 3/16″” buoyant polypropylene rope. To release the rope, simply pull the quick-release cam buckle. Comes with a wide-mouth carabiner, webbing belt and stainless steel O-ring. The Touring Tow is not for swift-water rescue.

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“New for the 2005 season! Pyranha has given the Ina Zone (recently awarded “”Kayak design of the decade”") series an exciting update with the latest in the family line, the i4. Still designed as THE all round river play and river running kayak for any standard of paddler. The i4 has some real subtle but important tweaks that make it stand out as one of the most playful and river friendly all around kayaks available today. Predictable when you need it, but equally playful too, the i4 is your one-boat-option for 2005.

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“The Amigo Whitewater Paddle by Werner Paddles features a smaller advanced river running design that allows smaller paddlers to use a faster cadence easily. Got a must make move? No problem, rev up your cadence! Smaller paddlers no longer have to sacrifice a good fit to get a great performing paddle. The Amigo features a premium fiberglass shaft as well as oval indexing that offers better control.

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“The Surskin Short Sleeve Top by Kokatat is a plush line of insulating comfort with paddle specific patterning, competition cut, 4-way stretchability and a contouring fit. The outer Surfskin thermal fabric is a wind and waterproof barrier laminated to cozy fleece lining for comfort next to skin. Exceptional design and high quality construction that you expect from Kokatat. Mock turtleneck Punch-thru cuffs

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The Big Swell Paddle Float by GAIA is considered by many (including Wayne Horodowich of the University of Sea Kayaking) to be the best inflatable paddle float on the market.

“The Kodiak Taper Dry Bags by Seal Line are lightweight dry bags made with tough low-friction nylon, radio-frequency welded seams, and are shaped to slide easily into tight spaces. They have a Dry Seal roll-down closure and D-ring attachment. Kodiak Tapers are shaped to fit sea kayak bulkhead compartments for the most efficient use of space: Taper 35 in. stern, 20 in. bow. To ease stuffing, excess air can be squeezed out of a purge valve at the bottom of the bag. Specifications: Type: Dry Bag Kodiak Taper 20: Weight: 6 oz (170 g) Volume: 1220 cu in (20 liters) Size: 5-8 in dia. x 30.5 in (13-20 x 78 cm) Kodiak Taper 35 Wide: Weight: 11 oz (310 g) Volume: 2080 cu in (4 liters) Size: 7-12 in dia. x 30 in (18-30 x 76 cm) Kodiak Taper 35 Long: Weight: 11 oz (310 g) Volume: 2080 cu in (34 liters) Size: 5.5-11 in dia. x 39.5 in (14-28 x 100 cm) Features: Roll-Down Dry Seal Closure Low-friction, lightweight nylon Purge Valve Tapered end to better fit in kayaks

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“Finally, while watching Jackson Kayak’s Advanced River Run you can prepare yourself properly to run class 3, 4, and 5 whitewater BEFORE you run it! Let three time World Freestyle Champion, Extreme Champion, and Olympic slalom racer, Eric Jackson show you the right way to do approach your river running. Lifetime kayaker, world champion squirt boater, extreme champion, and pioneer Clay Wright heads up the safety program to assure that you know how to stay safe. Learn to boof, read harder water, deal with rocks, holes, long rapids, waterfalls, slides, and more. A discussion on the right tools for river running, including your kayak, paddle, gear, and safety equipment provides you with the ability to choose wisely. Come with us to run some of the classics in the Southeast on our 8 day river running tour. North Chic, Caney Fork, Tellico, Chattooga, Tallulah, and more during beautiful spring runoff season. See young paddlers, Emily and Dane Jackson, and Nick Troutman, along with vete

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